Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1887-10-29
TERMS---&?. 90 PER YEAR.

DO not touch me-" she cried re.
covering herself by a strong effort Of
will. Il am not i'll. it is the warm
room; so Tom is coming. | will lit
down. think, to be fresh and bright
Tom is com NJ and IL am engaged"
She had dragged herself half way up
the stairs when she remembered some7
thing.
Father. dear" she called. don't
worry about me, and the mortgage is
to be my wedding present.
At eight O'Clock that same evening
Mr.. Marsh came to the conclusion that
sufficient time had elapsed for Ruth to
be calm and he would accordingly
make his call then instead of waiting
until the following day. II Ruth did
not care to see him he could talk mat
ters over with her father. ';She doesn't
love me-" he thought Is he neared the
house but she cars for no one else, and
nv life shall be devoted to her" Love
had certainly aroused in John Marsh
the suSp cous OF better nature which
before now had been buried too deep to
assert itself
His heart actually leaped in his throat
like Il bashful bOy's rs he reached the
'toOp, and a sensation of awkardness
and fear came over him. This Will
never do" he thought. Il must walk
down the path To calm myself
As he approached the end of the
garden he heard voices. then he saw
the faint outline of two figures, a man
and a woman standing facing each
| other. very near and vet not touching.
Surely that was Ruth's voice. no one
else had such low clear tones.
| He drew steadily near and crouched
| behind bush. A feeling of dread crept
over him. Had she lover? He must
! hear and see all
The two people beyond him gazed
at each other without word. At last
! the girl spoke again n low despairing.
voice. Tom. have tried to make you
think that my love for you has changed
m one short year. but you know better
for you know me-"
MY darling" cried the young man
as he flung his arms about her. She
Welded to his embrace for a moment.
then pushed him from her with all her
strength.
| "If YOU care for me-" she said, do
not touch ME. It only makes 1t harder
| for me, for Tom" she continued, al
though | love you. l am bound to him,
| and as | have given my word to be his
fe | will be true to him with Gods
| help"
She leaned against tree as if need
ing its support.
'.But you were mine before you were
his" cried Tom impetuously, land I
/ lAi hot in
months we could be married. and"
You don't understand. Tom," she
interrupted. lit is for father; am all
he has. and he depends on me. He is
not well and he were obliged to give
up his home it would kill him. Tom, /
love you. but don't you see must save
father even if the price is myself
Your idea of duty is unnatural and
morbid, and you do not love me rs you
pretended 1t is this mans money
| VIII ch has won you. and woman like
you throw It on to some one else's
shoulders"
Toms voice was deep and angry as
he stood with folded arms.
| Ruth neither spoke nor moved in
answer to his accusation.
| Tom turned and walked few steps
towards the house. in moment how
ever he was at Ruih's side.
Forgive me, love-" he whispered;
II was brute for the moment; you
are all that is sweet and good, and |
am not worthy of you"
He was gone, and Marsh from be-
hind his bush saw Ruth clasp the tree
with both arms. and heard her MUIR
mur, ..it is all over! God help me to
be a good woman and keep me from
hating the man who has taken my love
from me.
Mr.. Marsh tiptoed softly out of the
garden. W thout II glance at the stoOp
on which he had stOud so tim div an
hour before. When he had reached his
own room he sat down TO tn nix. For
two hours he scarcely moved, and his
face was as impassive as h figure.
At the end of that time he wrote this
little note:
NV Dear Miss Rodney.
| have come to the conclusion that have
lived too long a bachelor to impose myself and
nv whims upon a bright Dung girl. prom
sed you the mortgage, however, for a wedding
present. and here IL S In advance. / UNDER
| stand that Young Mr.. Russell Is with YOU, and
father very well, and u his son resembles him
be is worthy of your love. II at any time can
be Of service to you command me.
| Yours very truly,
JOHN z. MARSH.
After he had sealed the note he gave
long sigh. Marsh" he muttered.
IF love can change you and your ideas
like this it must be mighty power in
the world